June 24 Conference Explores Impact of the NYC's Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE) Legislation, Post-Sandy Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) and More

NEW YORK, NY -June 18, 2013 - Where are the new construction opportunities for small businesses, especially minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) in New York City? On June 24, that question, as well as others that explore how MWBEs and other small businesses can participate in new public-sector procurement opportunities, will be answered at a special conference presented by The Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute in conjunction with The Women Builders Council (WBC), New York’s leading organization representing women in the construction industry.

“We are proud to lead the conversation about the new City and State opportunities for MWBEs that Local Law 1-2013 will provide,” notes Jack S. Nyman, Executive Director of the Newman Real Estate Institute of Baruch College. “Not only is it fitting that these groups will have a more prominent role in public projects, but the unique and valuable perspective that they provide will greatly benefit our city and all New Yorkers.”

“Participants at this conference will come away with a much greater understanding of the possibilities this legislation offers,” he added. “This diversity agenda is strongly in keeping with the initiatives for women and minorities that we foster every day at the Institute, our college and CUNY.”

“The conversation that will take place at the conference is vitally important for setting the new procurement agenda for MWBEs in New York City,” adds Cheryl McKissack Daniel, WBC’s President and President/CEO of McKissack & McKissack, one of the top 25 largest MWBE firms in the City, according to a recent survey in Crain’s New York Business.

Featured Topics: Groundbreaking New Legislation, Post-Sandy Building and New Harlem Megaproject.

New groundbreaking NYC legislation, Local Law 1-2013 (which replaces Local Law 129), will be the focus of a dynamic conversation with NYC officials and select commissioners, who will reveal new compliance and reporting requirements as well as how the new law will be integrated into NYC procurement practices.

Representatives from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Office and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will examine new opportunities emerging from the Mayor’s Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR).

A third presentation will reveal new opportunities emerging from the planned Northern Harlem megaproject, which is slated to be the largest mixed-use development, by dollar and size, in Uptown Manhattan.

Who Should Attend: The program is designed for MWBE firms and the companies that hire them as well as public-sector procurement officers. The conference will provide vital information on how MWBEs can prepare their firms to take advantage of new business opportunities arising from these new construction opportunities and how the public sector will engage in diversity procurement best practices.

About the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute:

The Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute offers education and research vital to addressing the growing needs of the real estate industry. Through professional education courses, seminars and workshops, the Institute trains current practitioners and the next generations of real estate professionals, helping them succeed in, and contribute to, an evolving marketplace. For more information on the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute, please visit: http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/realestate/

About the Women Builders Council:

The Women Builders Council (WBC) is the leading association representing women in the construction industry on several important fronts: legislative advocacy, new business development and professional development with a special focus on leadership. WBC provides a dynamic forum that advances industry knowledge, addresses the barriers that prevent women from growing and facilitates solutions for policy makers and industry leaders. WBC was founded by several women business owners who recognized the challenges of doing business in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Established in 2004, today it has grown to be one of the leading voices for women business owners and women professionals in the New York State construction industry. For more information on the Women Builders Council, please visit: www.wbcnyc.org

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About Baruch College:

Baruch College is a senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) with a total enrollment of more than 17,000 students, who represent 160 countries and speak more than 100 languages. Ranked among the top 15% of U.S. colleges and the No. 5 public regional university, Baruch College is regularly recognized as among the most ethnically diverse colleges in the country. As a public institution with a tradition of academic excellence, Baruch College offers accessibility and opportunity for students from every corner of New York City and from around the world. For more about Baruch College, go to http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/.